Teach Your Dog to Be Gentle

As a dog owner, you may have noticed your dog occasionally using their mouth during play, whether it’s nipping at your hands, chewing on your clothing, or even lightly biting. While this behavior might seem harmless, it’s important to teach your dog to play gently, especially as they grow older and their jaws become stronger. Let’s explore how to address and manage mouthing and nipping in adult dogs using evidence-based methods.

Good Things Stop

Every now and then, a dog will bite his playmate too hard. The victim of the painful bite yelps and usually stops playing. The offender is often taken aback by the yelp and also stops playing for a moment.

When you play with your dog, let him mouth on your hands. Continue play until he bites especially hard or overly excited. When he does, immediately give a high-pitched yelp, as if you’re hurt, and let your hand go limp. This should startle your dog and cause him to stop mouthing you, at least momentarily. Praise your dog for stopping or for licking you. Then resume play.

Bad Things Happen

If you find that yelping alone doesn’t work, you can switch to a time-out procedure. Time-outs are often effective for curbing mouthy behavior in adolescent and adult dogs. When your dog delivers a hard bite, yelp loudly. Then, when he startles and turns to look at you or looks around, remove your hand. Either ignore him for 10 to 20 seconds or, if he starts mouthing on you again, get up and move away for 10 to 20 seconds. If necessary, leave the room. After the short time-out, return to your dog and encourage him to play with you again.

Bad Things Stop

If a time-out isn’t viable or effective, consider using a taste deterrent spray the deterrent on areas of your body and clothing that your dog likes to mouth before you start interacting with him. If he mouths you or your clothing, stop moving and wait for him to react to the bad taste of the deterrent. Praise him lavishly when he lets go of you. Apply the deterrent to your body and clothes for at least two weeks. After two weeks of being punished by the bitter taste every time he mouths you, your dog will likely learn to inhibit his mouthy behavior.

When you first use a deterrent, apply a small amount to a piece of tissue or cotton wool. Gently place it directly into your dog’s mouth. Allow him to taste it and then spit it out. If your dog finds the taste unpleasant, he might shake his head, drool or retch. He might sniff the piece of tissue or wool, but he probably won’t pick it up again. Ideally, he’ll recoil from it. You want him to learn the connection between the taste and the odor of the deterrent so that he’ll avoid chewing objects that smell like it. After letting your dog taste the deterrent, spray or rub it on all objects you don’t want him to chew or lick. Reapply the deterrent every day for two to four weeks to be sure your dog will no longer bother with the objects.